Washington, D.C. — A recent Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration survey delivered to the agency's Women of Trucking Advisory Board reveals that truck drivers, regardless of gender, face widespread harassment and physical assault on the road. The findings exposed an urgent need for better protection across the freight sector, pushing carriers and regulators to examine practical fixes that drivers say are long overdue.

Survey participants submitted concrete remedies to tackle the rising threat of highway crime, highlighting six primary areas for immediate improvement. Chronic truck parking shortages sit at the heart of the crisis, forcing CDL-A drivers into dark, unlit spaces and abandoned lots where they become prime targets for criminal activity. Better communication between drivers and fleet managers can prevent these risky stops by adjusting delivery schedules before safe parking runs out, keeping drivers out of vulnerable situations.

Securing existing facilities offers a faster fix than building new ones from scratch. Drivers want to see brighter lighting around fueling islands and walking paths, restrooms placed in high-visibility areas, and dedicated on-site security patrols. Many respondents also called for sweeping changes to corporate policies that currently ban firearms in cabs, arguing that personal sidearms remain essential for self-defense. Along with carrying weapons, drivers asked for mandatory personal safety training and educational materials detailing how to spot, stop, and report crimes through formal, reliable company channels.

What This Means for Drivers

Professional drivers and owner-operators continue to absorb the risks of a broken parking infrastructure while trying to meet tight delivery schedules. Hauling freight cross-country shouldn't mean gambling with personal safety at a dark rest stop or an industrial park. When fleets improve dispatch communication and back up these operational changes with real security lighting and patrol guards, drivers gain a fighting chance against roadside crime. CDL-A drivers deserve clear reporting procedures and backing from motor carriers when dangerous incidents occur on company routes.

Industry Reaction

Transport executives and safety advocates are under mounting pressure to address the vulnerabilities laid bare by the FMCSA findings. Trucking companies hiring today must look past bare-minimum compliance and invest directly in driver security measures if they want to retain experienced operators. Protecting the workforce on the road is no longer just an HR checkbox; it is a core operational requirement for any carrier serious about driver retention.

Key Points

• FMCSA survey data presented to the Women of Trucking Advisory Board exposed widespread harassment and physical assault targeting truck drivers.
• Respondents highlighted the severe national truck parking shortage as a primary driver of roadside crime and vulnerability.
• Suggested industry reforms include increased lighting, security patrols, personal safety training, and updated internal reporting channels.
• Many surveyed drivers urged trucking companies to lift strict firearm bans to improve personal security inside the cab.

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